Apparatus for securing closure caps to paper receptacles



p c. F. DAWSON APPARATUS FOR SECURING CLOSURE CAPS TO PAPER RECEPTACLESFiled Dec. 11, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet l 3 "wa l tow.

1,641,743 Sept 1927' c. F. DAWSON APPARATUS FOR SECURING CLOSURE CAPS TOPAPER RECEPTACLES Filed Dec. 11, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Se t, 6 1927,

p c. F. DAWSON APPARATUS FOR SECURING CLOSURE-CAPS TO PAPER RECEP'IAGLES4 Sheets-Shet 3 Filed Dec. 11, 1923 APPARATUS FOR SECURING CLOSURE CAPSTO PAPER REGEPTACLES Filled Dec. 11, 1923 7 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I I & $151Pateined Sept. 6, 1927.

UNITED STATES CECIL I. DAWSON, O! IAS'ION, PENNSYLVANIA, ABSIGNOR '10INDIVIDUAL DNINKING CUP COMPANY, INC., OI IABTON, PENNSYLVANIA, ACORPORATION 01' PENNSYL- VANIL APPARATUS ron aacunme cnosunn care whoruns ancnr'rncnnsl I Application fled December 11, 1928. Serial No.680,086.

This invention relates to an improved apparatus for securin closure capsto pa er receptacles, and w e susceptible of a wlde range of usefulnessin PlOVldlIlg closed 5 paper containers or ackages for various purposesit is especia y applicable to paper cups that are used for serving icecream and drinks to provide temporaay; covers or closures for said cupswhen e ice cream or drinks are to be carried from the soda fountain tothe consumer.

The object of the invention is to provlde an improved simple, eflicientapparatus whereby closure caps can be quickly msert- 16 ed within paperreceptacles of tapering form to effect an eflicient interlockingengagement of the same therewith without the necessity of preliminary orse arately preparing a groove or seat in t e receptacle 20 to receivethe marginal rtion of the closure cap, and without cturin or damagingthe receptacle so that it is possible to employ paper drinking on s orother containers in the usual' form from a v groove at the upper endthereof. when not requiring a cover, and to readily convert the cup 1ntoa closed package of mexpenslve construction, when desired.

In accordance with the invention a paper cup or other container oftapering form is supported exteriorly and held confined inwardly of itsouter end portlonagainst distortion, and while so supported and held aclosure cap consisting of a stiff (paper disk of the proper size. tocorrespon with the size of the larger end ortion or mouth of the paperreceptacle is orced uniformly and evenly into the outer end of thereceptacle with suflicient pressure and to a sufiicient 40 distance tostretch and bend outwardly the side wall of the receptacle to effect asecure interlocking connection between the parts, the wall of thereceptacle above the point of support being given a slight outward bulgeby the insertion of the cap and a groove or seat formed at the interiorof the receptacle in which the marginal portion of I the cap is firmlyseated.

The invention comprehends a tubular or chambered holder or supportadapted to encompass the major portion of the receptacle below the outerend portion thereof, in

which the closure ca is to be inserted, saidtubular or chambers holderbeing of a size and shape corresponding to that of the' major portion ofthe receptacle to closely fit about and su port the same againstdistortion, and sai holder or support having an annular shoulder at itsouter end portion with an adjoining annular flange or part that is ofgreater diameter than the dlameter of and extends in s aced relationwith the upper end portion 0 a receptacle when seated in the holderprior to the a plication of the closure ca thereto, sai annular shoulderand adjoining annular flange or part of the holder serving to assist inthe formation of 'the'seat or groove in the receptacle for the closureca when the closure cap is forced therein. e invention also contemplatesa presser member or plunger provided with means for holding a closurecap thereon and adapted to force the closure cap evenly into the endportion of the rece tacle while the latter is supported in the oldertogether with means for regulating the distance the closure cap isforced into the receptacle and the pressure exerted upon the side wallthereof. The invention further comprehends, in combination with theother elements referred to, means for feeding closure caps singly to theplunger or presser member in proper centered relation therewith, andalso cup removing or ejecting means for the holder.

The mvention, with other objects and advantages. thereof, and theparticular construction, combinations, and arrangements of partscomprising the same will be under-.

stood from the hereinafter contained detail description, when consideredin connection with the accompanying drawings, forming part hereof, andillustrating embodiments thereof. I

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of a paper cupseated in the holder prior to the insertion of a closure cup therein,the presser member or plunger with a closure ca thereon being shown, inpart section an part side elevation, above the upper end portion of thecup in centered relat on therewith.

Figure 2'is a detail section of the upper portion ofthe holder and upperpart of the'receptacle after a closure cap has been applied thereto.

Figure 3 is a detail section on an enlar d scale of an upper portion ofthe holfi iar, and an upper portion of a receptacle and closure capsecured in interlocking relation.

Figure 4 is an inverted plan view of the presser or plunger member.Figure 5 is a detail plan of a closure cap. Figure 6 is a detail view ofa valve de- 4 vice for controlling the suction holding means of theplunger.

Figure ,7 is a longitudlnal sect on of the magazine or holder for astack of closure Gil S.

plunger mechanism.

rolled to "preferably, as

Figure 11 is a detail inverted plan of the plunger illustrated by Figure10.

Figure 12 is ,a top plan view of the modified construction i lustratedby Figure 10 and also showing diagrammatically in lan the holder andfeeding means for a stac of closure caps.

Figure 13 is a detail top plan view of the upper end of the standard ofthe construction illustrated by Figure 10.

Referring articularly to Figure 1 ofthe drawings, a esi ates a pa erreceptacle of tapering form, t e articu ar receptacle illustrated, byway example, being one of the well known constructions of paper drinkingcups commonly employed for serving ClI'lIlkS at soda fountains, the samebeing of trunco-conical sha e and havin a bottom a, a side wall a an anoutwar ly curved or p flange a. b designates a closure cap consisting ofa pa or disk of the requlred strength and sti nes's. The cap 6 is shown,of a diameter slightly less than that of the upper end of the receptacle'a so that the same can readily enter within the upper end ofthereceptacle.

The support or holder for the rece tacle, in this instance, is shown asa metal b ock '1 having an interior chamber of a shape and sizecorresponding to that of the paper cup or other container a-to closelysurround the major portion of the receptacle below the point to whichthe closure cap is to be inserted into the larger upper end portion ofthe receptacle, the said chambered support extending over the upper partof the receptacle a suflicient distance to afford the neces- I sarysupportfor the receptacle adjacent the point of insertion of the closure"cap while at the same time ermitting of the necessary stretching orbending outwardly of said upper portion of the receptacle to form a seator groovetherein for the marginal ortion of t e closure cap. Thereceptacle ho deror support 1 has an'annular shoulder 2 at its uppermarginal edge, and an adjoining surrounding wall part. or flan e 3 thatis of greater diameter than the cfiameter of and which extends in spacedrelation with the ad acent upper end portion of a receptacle upperadjoining cylindrical enlarged part 6.

The bottomvface 7 of the lower part of'the plunger or presser member 4is of substantially the same diameter as that of the closure disk I) andis adapted to enter the receptacle. The plunger 4 is provided withsuction means or holding a closure cap I) thereon, said means includinga passage leading through the plunger to the bottom face thereoftogether with suction creating means connected with said passage. Theplunger 4" is shown, in the present instance, provided withan interiorchamber 8, openings 9 leading therefrom to its bottom face.

1', and a passage 10 leading through the same from its u per face tosaid chamber 8. 12 designates a iihxible hose connection lead ing fromthe upper end of the passage 10 to a vacuum pump 12. 13 designates ashort tubular handgrip part having a detachable threaded connection witha collar 14 on a nipple 15 engaging the threaded wall of the upperportion of the passage 10 in the plunger 4:. (See Figure 1 of thedrawings.) The enlarged upper part 6 of the plunger 4 is of a diametergreater than that of the larger end of the receptacle a, and is adaptedat its lower face to engage the outer end or flange a of the receptacle,said enlarged upper part 6 serving as a stop to limit the distance thelower part 5 of the presser member or plunger can force the closure capinto the receptacle and the degree of pressure to which the side wall ofthe receptacle is subjected, the cap being inserted into the receptaclea predetermined distance nicely gaged in accordance with the size of endof the receptacle, and the character of material used. etc., toproducethe desired interlocking of the parts without fracturing orcrushing the receptacle.

Referring particularly to Figures 7, 8 and 9 of the drawings, the meansfor applying closure caps singly to the face of the plunger in propercentered relation therewith the closure cap relative to the outer ca s'therein.

he magazine is shown as comprising. a

- cylindrical body part 16 and a supporting base 17, the body part ofthe ma azine 16 having flanges 16' which are detac ably secured to thebase 17 by screws 18. '19 designates the follower for the magazine and20 a coiled expansion spring for the follower.

The plunger guiding and cap retaining and feeding means comprises apluralitypf V yieldable fingers 21, sai

fingers having 1nwardly inclined or beveled face portions 21" adapted toengage the marginal edge portions of the closure caps b, and withoutwardly inclined or beveled faces 21" for engagement by the plunger 4.The yieldable fingers are shown as consisting, of small head or blockportions 21 carried at the upper ends of spring members 22, the lowerends of said spring members 22 being riveted or otherwise suitablysecured to the side wall or part 16 of the ma azine, the upper portionof the part 16 being provided. as shown, with longitudinal slots 23through which the finger portions 21 are adapted to work. In theapplication of a closure cap to the plunger 4, the plunger is forceddownwardly into the magazine, the same engaging the beveled faceportions 21" of the fingers 21 being guided thereby into centeredrelation with the stack of caps b within the magazine, at the same timethe fingers 21 are expanded or forced outwardly by the plunger, theuppermost cap within the container being released and withdrawn from'the magazine in the withdrawal of the plunger 4. v v

The magazine mafybe loaded with a stack of closure caps by orcing thesame'therein through its delivery end portion, or the holder may becharged with closure caps by detaching the part 16 of the magazine fromthe base 17 and inserting the stack of cups into the lower end of thepart 16 after first removing the follower "19 and spring 20.

In racticing the invention, a receptacle a is positioned within theholder 1. A closure cap I) is supplied to the bottom face of the plungeror presser member 4 in centered relation therewith by forcing theplunger or presser member into the magazine, and the closure cap I; heldon the plunger or presser member by the suction holding means thereof.is then forced inwardly into engagement with the side wall of thereceptacle by the plunger or presser member 4, the latter being adaptedto be operated by hand by pressing or tapping theredn. After the closurecap has been forced into engagement with the side wall of thereceptacle, upon withdrawal of the plunger or presser member, the holdexerted bytthe suction means upon the closure cap is broken. the closurecap being left seated in place in secure interlocking relation with thereceptacle, (as

shown in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings),

the frictional en agement between the clo-- sure cap band t e side wallof the receptacle a being such as to overcome the holdin force exertedby thesuction means, whic is. as will be readily understood, relativelyslight, just sufiicient to hold the relatively light closure capcentered upon the bottom face of the plunger. If des1red, a valve 24 maybe employed, saidvalve being adapted to cut of communication with thesuction means and establish communication between the suction chamber 8of the plunger and the atmosphere to relieve the suction on the capafter the same has been forced into interlocking engagement with thereceptacle.

Means is provided for ejecting or remov-' ing the receptacle from theholder 1 after the insertion of the closure cap 6 therein. For thispurpose, in the particular construction shown, the support or holder 1is provided with a. separable bottom art 1 conforming to theconfiguration of t e bottom a of the receptacle and adapted to be movedlongitudinally of the chamber of the support or holder. 1 designates anoperating stem for said movable bottom part 1, said 'stem being;provided with a handle 1.

Hill

The movable bottom part 1" normally occupies the position illustrated"in Figure 1 of the drawings. As will be understood by forcing the bottomart 1 outwardly from its normal position t rough the medium of theoperating stem 1", a receptacle within the holder will be released andexpelled or forced outwardly therefrom.

In Figures 10, 11 12 and 13 of the drawings, is illustrateda -modifiedform of plunger and operating means therefor associated with thereceptacle holder or support and the cap holdingand feeding means. Inthis form of apparatus 25 designates the receptacle holder or supportand 26 the closure cap magazine, these parts being the same in form asin the constructions previously described. 27 designates the plunger orpresser member carried on the lower end of a rod 28 mounted forreciprocation in an arm 29, which is pivotally mounted on a standard 30to swing horizontally, the arm 29 being adapted to be swung .to position'and support the plunger directly over the receptacle holder orsupport 25 and to one side thereof to a position over the magazine 26.Means is provided to lock the arm in its tplosition when supporting theplunger over e receptacle support or holder 25.

suitable means may be employed forthis purpose, the particular lockingmeans shownfinthe drawing comprising a sprm latchi'3l adapted to en agenotches 32 an 33 in the uppe part 0 the support 30 ,and the inner-end ofthe arm 29 respectively. 34 designates a collar on the upper-end of theplunger rod 28 adapted to engage the arm 29 and'limit the downwardmovement of the plunger or presser member 27. 36 is acoiledexpansionspring interposed between a knob or handle 37 on the upper end of theplunger rod 28 and the arm 29 and acting to return the ma position. Acollar 38 on the plunger rodservesas a stop to limit the extent of uward movement of theplunger rod. The

unger 27 is provided with closure cap holding means similar to that ofthe plunger illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings.

' 39 designate the interior suction chamber of centered "relationtherewi ing the closure cap by the plunger, the cap the plunger orpresser member 27. '40 designates the openings leading from said suctionchamber 39, to the bottom face of the lunger or presser member, 41 thepassage eadin from' said chamber to the upper face of the lunger orpresser member, and 42 is the ffzaxible hose connection leading from theupper end of the passage 41 to the suction creating means (not shown).43 designates theyalve in the flexible hose connection for cutting offcommunication with the suction creating means and to establishcommunication between the interior suction.

chamber 39 of the plunger or presser member 27 and-the atmosphere.

improved apparatus, as hereinbefore M set fbrth', provides for quicklyand. easilysecuring closure caps to paper receptacles of tapering form.It will be noted that by the provision of the means for applying closurecaps singly to the plunger in proper t and for carryis definitelylocated in centered relation relative to the plunger and the open end ofthe receptacle in the application of the closure cap thereto. Thepreliminary or separate grooving or shaping of the receptacle to providea bulge or seat portion to receive and interlock with the'mar inalportion of the cap is entirely avoide the invention making it possibleto use drinking cups or containers 1n the usual continuous smooth formor free from a groove at the upper mouth portion thereof, and to readilyconvert such cups into closed .ackages or containers, as desired, thepacllages so formed being of an inexpensive nature.

It will understood that the invention is applicableto secure closurecaps to various kinds of paper rece tacles other than that of theparticular orm of drinking cup shown in the drawings, and that theparplunger to its upper- 1. An apparatus for securing closure caps topaper receptacles, said apparatus includmg means for supporting thereceptacle, a plunger member a apted to force a closure cap into thereceptaclegneans for holding a closure cap on the face of the plungerand means for feeding closure caps to an in centered relation with theface of the plunger, said means. includin ,a magazine adapted to supporta stack of closure caps for engagement at one end by the plungerfollower means for the magazine, and sai magazine having an openlongitudinall disposed delivery end part provided wit ca retaining meansadapted to be engaged an actuated by the plunger to release a closurecap from the stack when the plunger is moved longitudinally to engagethe end of the stack of caps.

2. An apparatus for securing closure caps to paper receptacles,

said apparatus includmg means for sup orting the receptacle, a plungermember a apted to force a closure cap 1nto the receptacle, .means forholding a closure. 0:?) on the face of the plunger, and means or feedingclosure caps to and in centered relation with the face of the plunger,said means including a magazine adapted to hold a stack of closure capsfor engagement at one end by the plunger, a spring pressed follower forthe magazine, an said magazine having an open longitudinally disposeddelivery end part provided with a plurality of spring closure capretaining fingers adapted to be engaged and moved outwardly by theplunger to release a cap from the stackwhen the plunger is moved toengage the end of the stack of caps.

3. An apparatus-for securing closure caps to paper receptacles, saidapparatus including means for supporting the receptacle, a plungermember cap into the receptacle, means for holding a closure cap on theface of the plunger, and means for feeding closure caps to and incentered relation with the face of the plunger, said meansincludinga'magazine adapted to hold a stack of closure caps for engagement at oneend by the plunger, a spring pressed follower for the magazlne, and saidmagazine having an open longitudinally disposed delivery end part pro-,vided with yieldable cap retaining fingers adapted to be engaged andmoved outwardly by the plunger to release a closure cap from the stackwhen the plunger is moved to enadapted to force a closurev yieldablefingers having beveled faces for engagement by the plunger.

4. An apparatus for securing closure caps to papenreceptacles, saidapparatus including means for supporting the receptacle, a plungermember adapted to force a closure zap into the receptacle, means forholding a closure cap on the face of the plunger, and means for feedingclosure caps to and in centered relation withv the faceof the plunger,said means including a magazine adapted to hold a stack of closure capsfor engagement at one end by the plunger, a spring pressed follower forthe magazine, and said magazine having an open longitudinally disposeddelivery end part provided with yieldable "cap retaining fingers adaptedto be engaged and moved outwardly by the plunger to release a closurecap from the stack when the plunger is moved to en-' gage the end of thestack of caps, said yieldable fingers having inwardly inclined capengaging faces and adjoining outwardly flaring faces for engagement bythe plunger.

5. An apparatus for securing closure caps to paper receptacles, saidapparatus including means for supporting the receptacle, a plungermember adapted to force a closure cap into the receptacle, means forholding a closure cap on the face of the plunger, 1nd means for applyingclosure caps to and in centered relation with the face of the plunger,said means including a magazine adapted to hold a stack of caps forengagement at one end by the plunger, a s ring pressed follower for themagazine,- an said magazine having an open longitudinally disoseddelivery end part provided with means or engagement by the plunger andacting to guide the plunger in centered relation with the stack ofclosure caps.

6. An apparatus for securing closure caps to paper rece tacles oftapering form, said apparatus inc uding means of tubular form taperinginteriorly to confine the side wall of the receptacle inwardly of thelar er end thereof against lateral distortion, sai means having anannular shoulder atv its upper margin and an adjoining fiangeportion ofgreater diameter than and extending in spaced relation with the adjacentportion of a receptaclewhen seated within said receptacle holding meansprior to the application of a closure cap thereto, in combination with aplunger to force a closure cap into the larger end of the receptacle,said plunger having a bottom face of a diameter greater than theinterior diameter of said holding means directly below said shoulder toextend over and in opposing relationship with said shoulder, saidannular shoulder and adjoining flange part-acting to assist in theformation of-a seat in the receptacle to receiv the closure 'cap.

7. An apparatus for securing closure caps to paper receptacles, saidapparatus including means for supporting the receptacle, a plungermember adapted to force a closure cap into the receptacle, means forholding a closure cap on the face of the plunger, and means for feedingclosure caps to and in centered relation with the face of the lun ersaid means includin a ma azine the plunger is moved to engage the end ofthe stack of caps.

In testimonywhereof I hereunto signature.

CECIL r. DAWSON.

